Hood Pin with Interrupter Switch

ABSTRACT

A vehicle hood pin apparatus is disclosed which contains an outer housing with holes to accept a cotter pin or other self-locking device, an inner pin with holes that can mate with the holes on the outer housing, and an electric switch attached to the housing to communicate signals to the vehicle, and in mechanical connection with the inner pin. By mating the holes in the inner pin with the holes in the outer housing and inserting the cotter pin or other self-locking device into the mated holes, the hood is closed securely on the vehicle and the electric switch sends a signal to the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/573,508, filed on Oct. 17, 2017.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to a hood pin for securingan automobile hood and more specifically for a hood pin which includesan interrupter switch or other signal switch for indicating a conditionof the hood pin.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hood pins for securing vehicle hoods where the conventional latch systemis either insufficient or not provided are known in the art. Numeroustypes of hood pins have been utilized, for example, on racing vehicleswhere the high speed of the vehicle can produce a substantial amount oflift forces on the hood, causing the hood to lift upward while thevehicle is in operation. Additionally, some aftermarket hoods, such ashoods designed for use with certain types of classic vehicles, streetracing vehicles, and other types of vehicles, utilize hood pins ratherthan, or in addition to, conventional latch systems, for example toachieve a desired aesthetic and/or to provide additional securityagainst lifting of the hood during operation.

While hood pins can be effective for securing a vehicle hood duringoperation of the vehicle, a problem arises in that, in certaincircumstances, it is possible to inadvertently begin operating a vehiclewithout having the hood pin properly secured. This could occur, forexample, at a car show, where multiple people may be opening and closingthe hood to inspect the engine compartment and may close the hoodwithout completely securing it by means of the hood pins. The driver oroperator of the vehicle may assume the hood is secured because the hoodis closed, without ascertaining whether the hood pins have been secured.In such circumstances, during subsequent operation of the vehicle,aerodynamic lift applied to the vehicle hood may result in the hoodlifting upward, thereby obscuring visibility of the vehicle operator andcreating an unsafe condition. Thus, it would be beneficial to have meansavailable to indicate a condition of the hood pin, such as for example acondition in which the hood pin was not in properly secured to securethe hood against lift. In light of the above, there is a need for a hoodpin which includes either a switch for producing a signal to alert auser of an “unlatched” condition of the hood pin, or an interrupterswitch which serves to prevent the vehicle from operating prior tosecuring the hood.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present general inventive concept, in various example embodiments,provides a pin or other member, at least indirectly attached to thevehicle hood, which moves under pressure by an operator, at least oneelectric switch, at least indirectly attached to the vehicle, tocommunicate signals to the vehicle, and in mechanical connection withthe pin or other member, wherein movement of the pin or other memberunder pressure by the operator causes the hood to be secured to thevehicle and the electric switch to send a signal to the vehicle.

The present general inventive concept, in another example embodiment,provides a pin or other member, at least indirectly attached to thevehicle hood, which moves under pressure by an operator, at least oneelectric switch, at least indirectly attached to the vehicle, tocommunicate signals to the vehicle, and in mechanical connection withthe pin or other member; an outer housing with at least two holes toaccept a cotter pin or other self-locking device, at least one hole onthe pin or other member that can mate with the holes on the outerhousing, wherein the electric switch is attached to the housing tocommunicate signals to the vehicle, and is in mechanical connection withthe pin or other member, and wherein mating the holes in the pin orother member with the holes in the outer housing and inserting thecotter pin or other self-locking device into the mated holes causes thehood to be secured to the vehicle, and the electric switch to send asignal to the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following example embodiments are representative of exampletechniques and structures designed to carry out the objects of thepresent general inventive concept, but the present general inventiveconcept is not limited to these example embodiments. In the accompanyingdrawings and illustrations, the sizes and relative sizes, shapes, andqualities of lines, entities, and regions may be exaggerated forclarity. A wide variety of additional embodiments will be more readilyunderstood and appreciated through the following detailed description ofthe example embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a hood pin withinterrupter switch constructed in accordance with several features ofthe present general inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hood pin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of portions of the hood pin of FIG. 1, andspecifically, showing the inner hood pin with the outer housing removed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle with two hoodpins constructed in accordance with several features of the presentgeneral inventive concept installed in the hood of the vehicle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hood pinmechanism constructed in accordance with several features of the presentgeneral inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hood pinmechanism constructed in accordance with several features of the presentgeneral inventive concept;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hood pinmechanism constructed in accordance with several features of the presentgeneral inventive concept;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments aredescribed herein in order to explain the present general inventiveconcept by referring to the figures. The following detailed descriptionis provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensiveunderstanding of the structures and fabrication techniques describedherein. Accordingly, various changes, modification, and equivalents ofthe structures and fabrication techniques described herein will besuggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression offabrication operations described are merely examples, however, and thesequence type of operations is not limited to that set forth herein andmay be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operationsnecessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description ofwell-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increasedclarity and conciseness.

Note that spatially relative terms, such as “up,” “down,” “right,”“left,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, maybe used herein for ease of description to describe one element orfeature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) asillustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended toencompass different orientations of the device in use or operation inaddition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if thedevice in the figures is turned over or rotated, elements described as“below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below”can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

According to various example embodiments constructed in accordance withthe present general inventive concept, a hood pin mechanism with aswitch, such as for example an interrupter switch or other switch, isdisclosed. The example embodiments described herein are described withreference to a hood pin mechanism, of the type having a low voltageignition interrupter switch integrated in the pin housing. However,those skilled in the art will recognize that the present generalinventive concept may be implemented using other types of switchdevices, such as for example switches to activate one or more lights,noise signal devices, or other such devices. Furthermore, those skilledin the art will recognize that the present general inventive concept maybe implemented using other types of interrupter switches other thanignition interrupter switches. For example, in other embodiments, a hoodpin may be provided having an interrupter switch integrated thereinwhich is configured to lockout various functions of the vehicleelectronics, transmission, accelerator, or the like.

With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, hood pin mechanism withintegrated interrupter switch 10 is illustrated. A substantiallycylindrical, hollow outer housing 20 is shown which, in the illustratedembodiment, defines threads 22 along an outer surface of a distal endthereof. A pair of nuts may be threaded onto the threads 22, in order toprovide attachment means for the hood pin mechanism 10 to a bracket orother suitable surface inside the engine compartment of a vehicle. Othermeans for attaching the hood pin mechanism 10 to the inside of theengine compartment of a vehicle, e.g., welding, are known to thoseskilled in the art. Two housing holes 24 are located along the outerhousing 20, which are diametrically opposed and axially aligned to eachother and proximate to the end opposite from the threads 22. Alsodefined in the outer housing 20 is an elongated housing indention 26.The housing indention 26 is located on an inner surface of the outerhousing 20 at an end proximate to the housing holes 24 and extendsgenerally along a portion of the interior wall of the outer housing 20in an axial dimension of the outer housing 20. In various embodiments,such as the illustrated embodiment, the housing indention 26 may be inthe shape of a semicircle in its cross section or other shapes whichwill be readily apparent to one of skill in the art.

As will be described in further detail below, an inner hood pin 30 isprovided defining a generally cylindrical outer surface. Morespecifically, the inner hood pin 30 is sized and shaped to correspondgenerally to the inner surface of the outer housing 20, and the innerhood pin 30 is telescopically received within the outer housing 20, suchthat an upper end of the inner hood pin 30 protrudes from the end of theouter housing 20 proximate to the housing holes 24. The inner hood pin30 rests inside the outer housing 20 and is coaxial with the outerhousing 20. As will be described in detail below, the inner hood pin 30moves telescopically in an axial direction relative to the outer housing20. Also shown in FIG. 1, at the opposite end from the housing holes 24,is an interrupter switch 40. The interrupter switch may containelectrical contacts 42, with a direct wired connection to the ignition,in order to transmit an electrical signal, for example to the ignition,to a signaling device, or the like. Other means of relaying the signalare known in the art, e.g., wireless signal means. In variousembodiments, the interrupter switch 40 is generally secured relative tothe outer housing 20 and may be attached to the outer housing 20, forexample by a threaded connection, adhesive, frictional connection, orother means known to one of skill in the art.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hood pin mechanism 10of FIG. 1. The length of the inner hood pin 30 is shown resting insidethe outer housing 20 and coaxial with the outer housing 20. A throughhole 32 is defined by an end of the inner hood pin 30 proximate thehousing holes 24. The through hole 32 is generally a similar size as thehousing holes 24 and is intended to align with the housing holes 24during operation of the hood pin mechanism 10, as described below. Alsolocated on the inner hood pin 30 is a hood pin indention 34. In theillustrated embodiment, the hood pin indention 34 is generally a similarsize and shape as the housing indention 26 and extends axially along theouter surface of the inner hood pin 30 in underlying relationship to thehousing indentation 26. With reference to FIG. 3, shown resting insidethe hood pin indention 34 is a roll pin 50. The roll pin 50 hasgenerally a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of both the hoodpin indention 34 and the housing indention 26. It will be recognizedthat, in various embodiments, the roll pin 50 may be a separatecomponent or may be integral with either the outer housing 20 or theinner hood pin 30. By resting matingly inside both the hood pinindention 34 and the housing indention 26, the roll pin 50 permitsmovement of the inner hood pin 30 in an axial direction relative to theouter housing 20, while limiting relative movement of the inner hood pin30 and the outer housing 20 in a circumferential or “twisting”direction. With the circumferential distance between each of theindentions, 34 and 26, and their corresponding holes, 32 and 24,substantially the same, and the roll pin 50 resting matingly inside thehood pin indention 34 and the housing indention 26, the holes 32 and 24are held in alignment with one another along a circumferential dimensionof the outer housing 20 and inner hood pin 30. Thus, the inner hood pin30 may be telescopically extended from within the outer housing 20 tomisalign the through hole 32 from the housing holes 24. Conversely, theinner hood pin 30 may be telescopically received into the outer housing20 to align the through hole 32 with the housing holes 24 alongrespective axial dimensions of the respective holes 32 and 24.

Those skilled in the art will recognize numerous additional mechanismsand configurations by which the inner hood pin 30 may be permitted tomove in an axial direction relative to the outer housing 20, whileresisting or otherwise limiting relative movement of the inner hood pin30 and the outer housing 20 in a circumferential direction; and suchadditional mechanisms and configurations may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present general inventiveconcept. For example, in other embodiments (not shown), this relativemovement of the inner hood pin 30 and outer housing 20 may be achieved,for example, via corresponding parallel flat areas defined along theinner hood pin 30 and outer housing 20, via provision of a slot andcorresponding pin, or via a hex-shaped, square-shaped, or otherappropriately shaped inner hood pin 30 received within acorrespondingly-shaped opening defined by the outer housing 20.Additional suitable mechanisms and configurations will be understood andrecognized by one of skill in the art.

Shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a compression spring 60. The compressionspring 60 rests inside the outer housing 20 and is intended to bias theinner hood pin 30 in an axially upward direction, toward an “extended”position telescopically outwardly from the outer housing 20. In theillustrated embodiment, one end of the compression spring 60 restsagainst an inner hood pin shelf 36 defined proximate a lower end of theinner hood pin 30, and the opposite end of the compression spring 60rests against an outer housing shelf 46 defined along a lower portion ofthe inner surface of the outer housing 20. However, those of skill inthe art will recognize numerous configurations and devices which may beused to bias the inner hood pin 30 toward the above-discussed “extended”position, and such devices and configurations may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present general inventiveconcept.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is an actuator bolt 70 and the above-discussedinterrupter switch 40. The actuator bolt 70 is received within anat-least partially internally-threaded bore at the bottom of the innerhood pin 30 and extends downward from, and coaxial to, the inner hoodpin 30. The hole at the bottom of the inner hood pin 30 and the topportion of the actuator bolt 70, are shown with mating female and malethreads, respectively, along partial lengths thereof. This provides fora secure connection when the actuator bolt 70 is fully threaded into thehole at the bottom of the inner hood pin 30, but also provides someadjustments in the axial direction between the inner hood pin 30 andactuator bolt 70. In other embodiments, the inner hood pin 30 could beintegral with the actuator bolt 70, and in still other embodiments,other means of securing the inner hood pin 30 with the actuator bolt 70may be used. The outer housing shelf 46 defines an annular throughopening through which the actuator bolt 70 is received. This assists inmaintaining the actuator bolt in coaxial alignment with the outerhousing 20 and the inner hood pin 30. The lower end of the actuator bolt70 defines an anvil 72 that extends radially outwardly from the actuatorbolt 70 and engages a lower surface of the outer housing shelf 46 whenthe inner hood pin 30 is in the “extended” position. This limits axialmovement of the inner hood pin 30 in relation to the outer housing 20 toa range of movement between the “extended” position, in which the innerhood pin 30 is telescopically extended from within the outer housing 20,thereby misaligning the through hole 32 from the housing holes 24; andthe “depressed” position, in which the inner hood pin 30 istelescopically received within the outer housing 20, thereby aligningthe through hole 32 with the housing holes 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the interrupter switch 40 defines acylindrical, threaded outer surface and is received within aninteriorly-threaded cavity defined in a lower end of the outer housing20. Electrical contacts 42 extend from beneath a lower end of the outerhousing 20 and a switch button 44 extends generally upwardly, along acentral axis of the inner hood pin 30, coaxial with the actuator bolt70. In the illustrated embodiment, depression of the switch button 44causes a voltage to form between the electrical contacts 42 and currentto flow, sending an electric signal. Similarly, releasing the switchbutton 44 stops the signal. In this configuration, manual pressure by anoperator on the upper portion of the inner hood pin 30 will cause theinner hood pin 30 to move toward the “depressed” position,telescopically inward from the outer housing 20, causing the throughhole 32 and housing holes 24 to align, the actuator bolt 70 to move inan axially inward position, and the anvil 72 to depress the switchbutton 44, thereby sending the above-discussed electric signalindicating that the hood pin 10 has been moved toward the “depressed”position.

FIG. 3 shows the hood pin mechanism 10 with the outer housing 20removed. The roll pin 50 is shown resting ma tingly inside the hood pinindention 34. One side of the compression spring 60 is resting againstthe inner hood pin shelf 36 while the opposite side of the compressionspring 60 is free and is in an unloaded position. The interrupter switch40 is shown with the switch button 44 not depressed.

Operation of the hood pin mechanism 10, in one embodiment, can bedescribed as follows, with reference to FIGS. 1-4. One or more hood pinmechanisms 10, are attached to a bracket or other suitable surfaceinside an engine compartment of a vehicle 100 with the inner hood pin 30facing upwards. One or more holes in the hood 80 of the vehicle 100align with the hood pin mechanism 10 allowing the hood pin mechanism 10to protrude through the holes in the hood 80 as the hood 80 is beingclosed. With the hood 80 closed firmly, the operator may depress theinner hood pin 30 until the hood pin hole 32 aligns with the housingholes 24. At this point, the operator may insert a pin 90 through thehood pin holes 32 and housing holes 24 to secure the hood 80 in place.In this position, the switch button 44 of the interrupter switch 40 willremain depressed and the device will be in “latched” position. Thisprocess can be repeated where more than one hood pin mechanism 10 isbeing utilized and the vehicle may be wired such that all hood pinmechanisms have to be in “latched” position for the vehicle to start. Inother embodiments, the vehicle may be wired such that, if any hood pinis not in the “latched” position, a signal is emitted, such as forexample a light, buzzer, or the like. In still other positions, thevehicle may be wired such that, if any hood pin is not in the “latched”position, another device of the vehicle, such as for example thetransmission shifter or other devices, will not function.

Another embodiment constructed in accordance with the present generalinventive concept is illustrated in FIG. 5. Here, a twist-style hood pinmechanism 510 is provided which includes an inner hood pin 530 having aproximal end and a distal end, with a pin head 538 generally affixed toor incorporated into the proximal end, and an actuator bolt 570 withactuator bolt head 572 affixed to or located on the distal end. Thetwist-style hood pin mechanism 510 also generally includes threads,grooves, or other suitable rotatable fastener mechanisms 522 along anouter surface of the inner hood pin 530 to allow the inner hood pin 530to be received within an outer housing (not shown) and rotatably securedin the “depressed” position within the outer housing. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment, the inner hood pin 530 defines a series ofthreads 522 along a portion of the outer surface thereof. The threadsare sized and shaped to threadably mate with and engage correspondingthreads 550 defined along at least a portion of an interior surface ofthe outer housing 565 when the inner hood pin 530 is received within theouter housing in the “depressed” position.

In operation, the outer housing 565 portion of the twist-style hood pinmechanism 510 is attached to a vehicle body as described above. When thetwist-style hood pin mechanism 510 is received within the outer housing565, the threads 522 on the inner hood pin 530 work cooperatively withthe corresponding threads 550 within the outer housing, thereby securingthe twist-style hood pin mechanism 510 to the vehicle. When thetwist-style hood pin mechanism 510 is thereby secured in place, theactuator bolt head 572 makes contact with the switch button 544 attachedto the interrupter switch 540, located within the outer housing. As withother embodiments described herein, the default position of the innerhood pin 530 is the “non-signal” position with the switch button 544 notdepressed. Insertion and securement of the inner hood pin 530 within theouter housing 565 causes the actuator bolt 570 to be positioned towardthe switch button 544 until the actuator bolt head 572 to depresses theswitch button 544. Depression of the switch button 544 causes a voltageto form between electrical contacts 542 within the interrupter switch540 and current to flow, sending an electric signal. Similarly, removalof the inner hood pin 530 from within the outer housing 565 causes theswitch button 544 to be released, thereby stopping the signal.

Another embodiment constructed in accordance with several features ofthe present general inventive concept is illustrated generally in FIG.6. Here, a latch-style hood pin mechanism 610 includes an inner hood pin630 situated within a latch housing 612. The inner hood pin 630 isoperably connected to a latch 614 that moves between an open position(shown in FIG. 6) and a closed position. Similar to the above-discussedembodiments, the inner hood pin 630 includes a compression spring 660which is configured to bias the inner hood pin 630, and thus also thelatch 614, toward the open position. The inner hood pin 630 furtherincludes an actuator bolt and an actuator head 672. The latch-style hoodpin mechanism 610 further includes an interrupter switch 640 positionedwithin the latch housing 612, with a switch button 644 thereofpositioned in axial alignment with the When, as illustrated in FIG. 6,the latch 614 and associated inner hood pin 630 are in the openposition, the actuator head 672 is drawn away from the actuator bolt andan actuator head 672.

In operation, when the latch 614 is moved from the illustrated openposition to the closed position, the movement of the latch 614 drivesthe inner hood pin 630 such that the actuator head 672 is brought intocontact with a switch button 644 attached to an interrupter switch 640.Additionally, when the latch 614 is moved from an open position to aclosed position, the movement of the latch 614 causes a hook or otherlocking device (not shown) to engage with a rod or other device attachedto the vehicle body, thereby securing the hood to the vehicle body. Aswith other embodiments described herein, the default position of theinner hood pin 630 is the “non-signal” position with the switch button644 not depressed; this is the case when the latch 614 is in its openposition, and the compression spring 660 assists in this function byresisting movement of the inner hood pin 630 toward the interrupterswitch 640 and switch button 644. Pressure by an operator on the innerhood pin 630 causes the actuator head 672 to move and to depress theswitch button 644. Depression of the switch button 644 causes a voltageto form within the interrupter switch 640 and current to flow, sendingan electric signal. Similarly, releasing the switch button 644 stops thesignal.

Another embodiment constructed in accordance with several features ofthe present general inventive concept is illustrated generally in FIG.7. Here, an external-style hood pin mechanism 710 includes a latchmember assembly 712 and a receiver member 714 configured to engage witha latch member 722 of the latch member assembly 712. The latch memberassembly 712 includes, in addition to the latch member 722, a basemember 724, which generally is affixed to a vehicle body, while theseparate receiver member 714 generally is affixed to a vehicle hood. Thelatch member 722 moves with respect to the base member 724 about an axle728 that engages with both the base member 724 and a connecting member726 that joins with the latch member 722. The latch member 722 includesat least one rod 734 that engages with one or more hook components 732on the receiver member 714. When the latch member 722 engages with thereceiver member 714, the hood is thereby secured to the vehicle body. Inthe illustrated example embodiment, the external-style hood pinmechanism 710 includes actuator heads 772 on the latch member 722 and apair of interrupter switches 740 with switch heads 744 on the receivermember 714.

In operation, when the latch member 722 is moved from an open positionto a closed position, the movement of the latch member 722 moves theactuator heads 772 so that the actuator heads 772 are brought intocontact with corresponding switch buttons 744 attached to interrupterswitches 740. Depression of the switch buttons 744 causes a voltage toform within the interrupter switches 740 and current to flow, sending anelectric signal. Similarly, releasing the switch buttons 744 stops thesignal. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of interrupter switches740 with switch heads 744 is provided, however, it will be recognizedthat any number of interrupter switches 740 with corresponding switchheads 744 may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present general inventive concept.

It is noted that the simplified diagrams and drawings included in thepresent application do not illustrate all the various connections andassemblies of the various components, however, those skilled in the artwill understand how to implement such connections and assemblies, basedon the illustrated components, figures, and descriptions providedherein. Numerous variations, modification, and additional embodimentsare possible, and, accordingly, all such variations, modifications, andembodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope ofthe present general inventive concept. For example, while FIG. 4illustrates the hood pin mechanism 10 mounted to a core support of thevehicle and protruding through an opening on the vehicle hood, it willbe understood that this configuration could be reversed. In other words,in various embodiments, the hood pin mechanism 10 may be mounted to thehood and may protrude downward into the engine compartment, such thatlowering of the hood positions the hood pin for depression of the hoodpin mechanism. In this regard, while the present general inventiveconcept has been illustrated by description of several exampleembodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been describedin detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or inany way limit the scope of the general inventive concept to suchdescriptions and illustrations. Instead, the descriptions, drawings, andclaims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not asrestrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to thoseskilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings.Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventiveconcept.

Having thus described the aforementioned invention, what is claimed is:1. A vehicle hood securing device comprising: a pin or other member, atleast indirectly attached to the vehicle hood, which moves underpressure by an operator; at least one electric switch, at leastindirectly attached to the vehicle, to communicate signals to thevehicle, and in mechanical connection with the pin or other member;wherein movement of the pin or other member under pressure by theoperator causes the hood to be secured to the vehicle and the electricswitch to send a signal to the vehicle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising: an outer housing with at least two holes to accept a cotterpin or other self-locking device; at least one hole on the pin or othermember that can mate with the holes on the outer housing; wherein theelectric switch is attached to the housing to communicate signals to thevehicle, and is in mechanical connection with the pin or other member;and wherein mating the holes in the pin or other member with the holesin the outer housing and inserting the cotter pin or other self-lockingdevice into the mated holes causes the hood to be secured to thevehicle, and the electric switch to send a signal to the vehicle.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the device communicates with the vehicleby a wireless signal.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the signalsent from the electric switch communicates with an ignition interrupterswitch.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the signal sent from theelectric switch communicates with a transmission or accelerator of thevehicle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the signal sent from theelectric switch is to activate or deactivate one or more lights.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 2, comprising a compression spring within the outerhousing which attaches to the electric switch and the pin or othermember, and biases the pin or other member in an axial direction awayfrom the electric switch.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, comprising: anindention in the pin or other member; an indention in the outer housinghaving generally the same size as the indention in the pin or othermember; a roll pin having generally the same size as the indention inthe outer housing; wherein inserting the roll pin within the indentionin the outer housing and the indention in the pin or other memberresists movement of the pin or other member in a circumferentialdirection relative to the outer housing and permits movement of the pinor other member in an axial direction relative to the outer housing. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outer housing is threaded to allowattaching the outer housing to an engine compartment of the vehicle. 10.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outer housing is welded onto anengine compartment of the vehicle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising: a pin head attached to the proximal end of the pin or othermember; an actuator bolt attached to the distal end of the pin or othermember; a threaded outer housing attached to the vehicle body; threadson the pin or other member which mate with the threads on the outerhousing; wherein rotation of the pin head on the top of the vehicle hoodcauses the vehicle hood to move in the direction of the vehicle body andto be secured to the vehicle body; and wherein rotation of the pin headcauses actuator bolt to come into contact with the electric switch andthe electric switch to send a signal to the vehicle.
 12. The apparatusof claim 11, wherein the signal sent from the electric switchcommunicates with an ignition interrupter switch.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the signal sent from the electric switch communicateswith a transmission or accelerator of the vehicle.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the signal sent from the electric switch is toactivate or deactivate one or more lights.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising: a latch attached to one end of the pin or other member thatmoves between an open and a closed position; a latch housing surroundingthe pin or other member; a compression spring attached to the pin orother member that biases the latch in the open position; an actuatorhead attached to the pin or other member; wherein movement of the latchin the closed position causes the vehicle hood to move in the directionof the vehicle body and to be secured to the vehicle body; and whereinmovement of the latch in the closed position causes the actuator head tocome into contact with the electric switch and the electric switch tosend a signal to the vehicle.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein thesignal sent from the electric switch communicates with an ignitioninterrupter switch.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the signalsent from the electric switch communicates with a transmission oraccelerator of the vehicle.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: abase member generally attached to the vehicle body; a latch that isattached to the base member about an axle engaged with both the latchand base member; one or more actuator heads attached to the latch; areceiver member generally attached to the vehicle hood and containingthe at least one electric switch; a hook attached to the receivermember; a rod attached to the latch configured to be engageable with thehook; wherein engagement of the hook with the rod and movement of thelatch in the closed position causes the vehicle hood to move in thedirection of the vehicle body and to be secured to the vehicle body; andwherein engagement of the hook with the rod and movement of the latch inthe closed position causes the actuator head to come into contact withthe electric switch and the electric switch to send a signal to thevehicle.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the signal sent from theelectric switch communicates with an ignition interrupter switch. 20.The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the signal sent from the electricswitch communicates with a transmission or accelerator of the vehicle.